Class One pupils countrywide finally have a reason to smile as Jubilee Government will make good its campaign pledge to hand them laptops starting this week.
The massive rollout set to kick off on Friday will not be ordinary nor lack in fanfare.
In what seems like a strong statement by the Government, all Cabinet Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries will be involved in the physical delivery of the digital learning devices to 60 schools over the next one month.
FLAGSHIP PROJECT
According to the ICT Authority, the programme will see 1.2 million devices delivered to all the 23,951 schools by December this year, hinting at efforts by the Jubilee Government to fast-track the ambitious flagship project.
The opposition has been using the mega undelivered promise to attack the Government.
But the project has gained momentum in recent weeks, with over 120, 000 devices arriving in the country from China by air and sea. More consignments are expected to continue arriving as the implementation continues.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru will launch the rollout in Nairobi on Thursday morning and then jump-start the distribution at Ortum Boys School in West Pokot County on Friday.
Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri will unveil the program at Kapkikorwet Primary School in Bomet County on the same day.
MARATHON DISTRIBUTION
According to a roll-out launch schedule prepared by the ICT Authority, this will be followed by marathon distribution that will see every single CS and PS launch the program in selected schools across the country.
The Cabinet secretaries will represent the government as follows: Joseph Nkaissery, Interior (Kathangari Primary School in Embu), Phyllis Kandie, East African Affairs (Makutano DEB, Makueni), Judi Wakhungu, Environment (Karen ‘C’ Primary School, Nairobi), Adan Mohamed, Industrialization (Ramaika R.C Primary School, Bungoma), Najib Balala, Tourism (Ucekeini Primary School, Kiambu), Henry Rotich, treasury (Kyandula Primary School, Kitui), and Amb Amina Mohamed, Foreign Affairs (Mbwajumwali Primary School, Lamu)
Other are Dan Kazungu, Mining (Sero Primary School, Homabay), Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, Lands (Koibem Primary School, Nandi), Eugene Wamalwa, Water (Elgeyo Saw Mill Primary School in Elgeyo Marakwet and Gatunyu Priamry School in Murang’a County), Willy Bett, Agriculture (Essong’olo Primary School, Vihiga), Dr Cleopa Mailu, Health (Mwandisha Primary School, Taita Taveta), Dr Fred Matiang’I, Education (Bofu Pri School, Kwale) James Macharia, Transport (Maryango Primary School, Kilifi), Amb Raychelle Omamo, defense (Kiboino Primary School, Baringo), Hassan Wario, Sports (Doldol Primary School, Laikipia) and Charles Keter, Baragoi Primary School, Samburu).
LAPTOPS AND TABLETS
The devices include laptops for teachers and tablets for pupils.
Content for Class One and Two is available in five subjects.
The program is already operational in 150 primary schools across the country, which recently received over 12,000 digital devices as part of the pilot phase.
Over 22,237 schools have so far been connected to the power grid to make the program possible.
The Government has also trained over 66,000 teachers on how to use the devices for teaching and learning purposes.
-nairobinews.nation.co.ke
